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I was first in line for Black Friday

Jason Werling

Mar 23, 2010

Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Kohl's and Toys 'R Us are probably the most exciting and extended lines to wait in during Black Friday. And believe me, I have seen quite a few of them since working as a photographer at the Register. People wait for as long as 30 hours to get their "deal of the year."

I only waited 20 minutes.

Sure, I was up before 3 a.m. to work this morning. I schedule myself to work Black Friday for a couple reasons, 1) It is super early, or late depending on your schedule and 2) I enjoy it. But you could probably tell that by the coverage each year.

This year we went to JCPenney at the Sandusky Mall. They were scheduled to open at 4 a.m., but the Manager Scott White said he would open the doors when his staff were ready and they were ready at 3:35 a.m. so that's when the doors opened.

That gave reporter Sarah Weber and I enough time to talk to shoppers there and then get over to Kohl's by 4 a.m. for the Black Friday rush there. The line for Kohl's extended all the way around Famous Footwear when we arrived. Store manager Kathy Hutchison was very helpful and let us step inside to take in the mad rush.

After covering the Kohl's stampede, for lack of a better term, Sarah and I checked out our final location, Best Buy.

The first people in line there had been in line since 10 p.m. Wednesday night. Ugh, I don't know if any electronics are worth 31 hours in line.

That's why I only waited 20 minutes. I decided to take what turned out to be my "breakfast break" at 5:40 a.m. to go to Big Lots to make my Black Friday purchases. And what do you think a photographer needs on Black Friday? How about a camera? Yes, that's right, my point & shoot died and I needed a replacement. Big Lots had the camera and the deal I was looking for and there was no line at 5:40 a.m. There were probably over 25 people in line behind me by the time they opened the doors at 6, but I was first.

I got the camera and picked up a Tickle Me Extreme Cookie Monster for $5 (don't tell my youngest son) and was out the door while people were still filing in.

Next year I'll have to work in some breakfast on my "breakfast break."